**•*«*. 




* ** s 



Author 



Title 



Q LI L 

£.4:1..... 



Imprint 



16 — J7373-2 «PO 



Vj 



AN ADDRESS 

before the Maryland Historical Society 



ON THE 



CENTENNIAL 



Siege of Yorkiowm, Va. 



1781 1881. 



BY 



3^1 . 



DOCTOR DUHAMEL, 



WASHINGTON, D. C. 



YORKTOWN. 

On the York river in full view of the beautiful waters of the Chesapeake, with 
its waves sparkling in the morning sun, is to be seen on a projecting point of land, 
Yorktown, Va.; a place memorable in American history, and near by stands the 
old church built over two hundred years ago, where repose the ashes of many 
patriot dead, who were killed during the Siege of October, 1781. 

Yorktown was occupied by Cornwallis with the British Army in August, 
1 781, for the purpose of being near his supplies and ships, and, as he said, to make 
it more convenient to capture the American army in Virginia, under the youthful 
General Lafayette. He also occupied the opposite point (Gloucester Point,) 
where the British Colonel Tarlton was in commind, an! who was a terror to the 
neighboring country from his raids and acts of cruelty. 

Cornwallis made several efforts to capture General Lafayette and his small 
force by pretended retreats, &c, but the young General was too active for him. 
General Anthony Wayne always managed with his troops to dash through their 
lines to break up their plans. Cornwallis felt so secure in this position, that he 
offered over a thousand men to Sir Henry Clinton who was in danger from the 
American and French army under Washington at New York. It was at this time 
that General Lafayette determined to draw his net around Cornwallis, and he 
directed General Wayne with the addition of some six hundred militia he obtained 
from the Government of Virginia, to move down the James river to be ready to 
form a junction with the troops from the French fleet, as he was then expecting 
Admiral DeGrasse and his fleet in the Chesapeake. 

Cornwallis took forcible possession of the plantations in the counties adjoin- 
ing YorktOvvn, making prisoners of the residents, but they lived to see the glori- 
ous sight when the British army marched out in the appointed field and surrend- 
ered their arms to the American army. 



YORKTOWN SIEGE. 

General Washington resolved to proceed south and help Lafayette to capture 
Cornwallis, but he had to proceed in a very careful manner to prevent Clinton at 
New York from reinforcing the British army in Virginia. He acted as if he were 
about to attack New York by way of Staten Island, but at the same time pushed 
the men of his army through Pennsylvania with the French forces under Count 
de Rouchambeau. For a time his movements were a mystery to his own army, 
but in a short time Sir Henry Clinton found himself out-generaled, and his friend 
Cornwallis, in Virginia, in a perilous position. About the same time, Lafayette 



wrote to Washington urging him to move south with his army, and to put himself 
at the head of the combined armies, as he considered it an excellent opportunity 
to capture the British army in Virginia, and thanked Washington for ordering him 
there to make such a brilliant military achievement then in prospect. 

About the first of September, the American army passed through Philadel- 
phia and Baltimore, and though they were covered with dust and in worn-out 
uniforms, they were received with cheers and enthusiasm by the populace who 
hailed them as the defenders of the country. The French entered the next day 
with the dust brushed off their gay white uniforms faced with green, and their 
fine military bands. 

Washington joined Lafayette with the army at Williamsburg on the 12th of 
September, having stopped on his way for a day with his staff and French officers, 
at his home, Mount Vernon, after an absence of six years. 

The British army was now in a critical situation, and its retreat was cut off 
from the sea by the splendid French fleet which blocked up the York river. 

Artillery and siege cannons were sent up by the French Admiral to the 
American army, and the Generals of the American army visited the French fleet 
and formed a plan for the siege of Yorktown. About the 1st of October the 
British withdrew into the town, and the Americans siezed the outworks encircling 
the town from river to river, and the battle commenced. 

During the cannonading one shot killed three men and wounded four men 
near General Washington, throwing the earth on the hat of the Chaplain, Rev. 
Mr. Evans, who called General Washington's attention to it; the General re- 
marked that he should take it to his home as a relic of the siege. Governor 
Nelson, of Virginia directed the first gun at his own house, as it was the head- 
quarters of the British General, and offered a reward of 5^ to the soldiers for 
every bomb that hit the house. 

A red hot shell from the French batteries struck the British ship Charon at 
night, and it was soon wrapped in flames, causing a vivid brightness, as other 
ships caught fire, while around was thunder and lightning from the numerous 
cannons and mortars, presenting a magnificient and sublime sight in the darkness 
of the night. Some of the shells were thrown over the town, and were seen to 
fall in the river, bursting and throwing up columns of water like monsters of the 
deep. The bombs from each party crossed each other in the air, in the day they 
looked like large black balls, but at night they looked like fiery meteors with blaz- 
ing tails decending to execute their work of destruction. For several days con- 
tinued assaults were made on the different lines of fortifications, and acts of 
bravery and gallentry were numerous, and under the personal observation of the 
commanding officers, and on the last day as the last line of the works v. ^re 
stormed, Colonel de Larneth, the Adjutant General to Lafayette, was the first to 
mount the parapet, he received a volley from the Hessians who defended it, and 
was shot through both knees, he fell back and was conveyed away by his friend, 
Colonel Dumas and Surgeon DuHamel, a surgeon of the French navy. 



A little before day-break on the 16th, Cornwallis made a last effort to keep 
off the effective action of the American batteries from his dismounted works ; he 
sent out some four hundred men under Colonel Abercrombie, and the redoubts 
which covered our batteries were forced, and several pieces of artillery were 
spiked, but the troops from the trenches drove the enemy back with loss on their 
part. At this time Cornwallis could not show a gun on the side of his works, and 
the place was no longer tenable; but rather than surrender he determined to make 
his escape. 

Cornwallis' plan of escape from Yorktown was to attack the French and 
Americans at Gloucester Point before day-break ; mounts his Infantry on the cap- 
tured cavalry and other horses, and force his way through Maryland and Penn- 
sylvania to New York, but a violent storm arose that night and drove his boats 
down the river and put a stop to his wild daring scheme. His hopes were now 
at an end, as his fortifications were tumbling in ruins around him, and unwilling 
to expose the residue of his brave men who had been so faithful in all dangers, he 
sent a flag of truce to Washington to suspend hostilities. 

Colonel Laurens was appointed first commissioner to negotiate the surren- 
der ; he was the son of Hon. Henry Laurens, who had been sent as ambassador to 
Holland, but was captured and was then in the tower of London. 

The terms of surrender were similar to those granted to General Lincoln a 
year before at Charleston, and he (General Lincoln,) arranged the surrender and 
recieved the British army. 

The French and American armies formed two lines of over a mile in length, 
and the British army marched between the two, surrendering their arms which 
they threw in a pile with such force as to break them, such was the mortification of 
the men, and they were checked in the same. It was a bright and glorious day, 
but a day of bitter dissapointment to the English. The captured troops marched 
out with colors folded and drums beating a slow march. The officers were 
allowed their side arms and private property, and all the military and artillery 
were delivered to the American forces, and the marines and seamen to the French 
navy. The French army with Count de Rochambeau in complete uniform, and 
with their bands presented a splendid appearance. The Americans though not 
all in uniform, presented a fine soldiery air with joy beaming from their counten- 
ances. 

Every degree of confidence and harmony existed between the American and 
French, and the only spirit to excel were in exploits of bravery against the com- 
mon enemy. 

The British army made many brilliant exploits and victories under Corn- 
wallis, and they almost adored him, but he should have cheerfully shared in their 
humiliation and disgrace, but it is said he gave himself up to vexation and 
remorse. 

The Commander-in-chief of the allied forces expressed himself in an order of 



the day, — "thanks due the brave officers and soldiers of the French and American 
armies !" 

It was a sad sight to see Yorktown after the siege, with bodies of men and 
horses half covered with earth, and the fine houses riddled with cannon balls, and 
the rich furniture and books scattered over the ruins. The lossof men of the 
French army was double that of the Americans. There were eleven thousand in 
the British army at the commencement of the siege, and our forces in all amounted 
about twelve thousand six hundred. 

Col. Tarlton after the surrender was mounted on a splendid horse re- 
markable for his fine appearance, and while riding with several French officers 
with whom he was to dine, he was met by a Virginia gentleman who recognized 
and demanded his horse, but Tarleton was reluctant to give it up ; General 
O'Hara who was present advised him to give it up at once, which he did, and 
had to remount a miserable old plough horse to finish his ride, as it appears that 
this horse had been captured in the following manner : — At Hanover Court House 
there were a number of Virginia gentlemen who were there to hear the news and 
talk over the events of the day, a servant man came at full speed to inform them 
that Colonel Tarlton and his British troops were not three miles off, and in their 
alarm and sudden confusion to get away, each one mounted the first horse he 
could put his hands on, thereby returned home on horses not their own. They 
all escaped but one gentleman who hid himself in the chimney-way, and Colonel 
Tarlton helped himself to his splendid charger then in the stable. 

Col. Tarlton who had done much injury to the citizens in his raids through 
the country, heard a Virginia lady speak in high terms of Colonel Washington, a 
relative of General Washington. Colonel Tarleton remarked that he would like 
to see Colonel Washington, she replied curtly "that he could have had that 
pleasure if he had looked behind him in his retreat at the battle of the cowpens." 

Next to our great American General' Washington, much is due to the patriot 
General Lafayette by his skill for the success in capturing the British army at 
Yorktown. Lafayette was born near Paris, and the inheritor of a princely for- 
tune. At eight years of age he entered the College of Louis the Great, and he was 
in a few years rewarded for his success in his studies. Here the lovely but ill 
fated Queen of France, Maria Antoinette, who was beheaded with the King 
during the reign of terror in France, encouraged him in his progress at College 
and had him promoted as an officer in the King's guard, and also aided him in 
obtaining money to help the Americans. He met Dr. Franklin in Paris and 
offered his services before he was twenty- one years old, and equiped a vessel at 
his own expense, arrived at Philadelphia and pras2nted himself to Congress, "I 
have come !" he said, ' to request two favors of this assemb'age of patriots, on^is 
that I may serve in your army !" "the other, that I receive no pay." His services 
were accepted and he was commissioned as Major-General. 

The American army was much in need of supplies and rations for the men, 
and Lafayette sent several thousand dollars to General Washington for the pur- 



chase of the same. At the battle of Brandywine, Lafayette gave full evidence of 
his skill and bravery, as he was wounded on the first day of the battle. He con- 
tinued actively employed with the army until 1779, when he returned to France 
and obtained further aid for America. After the war was over he returned to 
France. In 17S9 he was elected Commander of the National Guards, and for a 
time checked the mob from running into those horrid excesses which were after- 
wards committed during the revolution. A short time after he had to fly his 
country for safety, but he was thrown into prison and chained by the Emperor 
of Austria on account of his republican principles. Several years after, Bona- 
parte had him set at liberty, and he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies. 

In 1824 General Lafayette visited the United States and was received with 
great ovations by a grateful people, and hailed as their benefactor by an immense 
concourse of American people who remembered his former services and liberality. 
He returned home in 1S25 in a ship fitted out by the United States and named 
"Brandywine," in honor of his bravery at that memorable battle. 

We are to have a Centennial celebration at Yorktown, October, 1881, and 
let every American visit the place and imbibe some of the patriotic sentiments on 
that occasion to make an impression which he may keep during life. It will also 
teach him the lesson of the past. From amid the machinery of the politics of the 
present day, he may learn what was once the tone of public life. It will enlarge 
his patriotism and elevate his notions of public life, and call out some veneration 
for the dead ; the patriots of those days. 

Ancient and modern history does not show a parallel for those men ; for 
nature made those men great, called as they were by their country to defend her 
liberties, they vindicated the rights of humanity, and on the foundation of Inde- 
pendence they erected this Republic. 

They voluntarilry refused the sword and sceptre, though thurst upon them, 
and by this sublime act they have from that time received the world's profounded 
admiration. 

" On fame's eternal camping ground, 

Their silent tents are spread; 

While glory guards with solemn ' 'round 

This bivouac of the dead. ' ' 



U| ©--Jt"i£o- 1 ^v/-vv C_JL-v^jtX- 



oTHEO 



J. 



E^TENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



SURRENDER OF LORD CORNWALLIS 



AND THE 



BRITISH FORCES UNDER HIS COMMAND 



19TH Day of October, 1781, 



Virtually the Closing of the Struggle for 



W&WW * INDEPENDENCE, 



TO BE APPROPRIATELY CELEBRATED ON THE FIELD OF 



YORKTOWN, VA., 



October, 1881. 



NEW YORK : 
AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, 53 BROADWAY. 

1880. 



AS 



-THE 



One Hundredth Anniversary 



OF THE 



SURRENDER OF LORD CORNWALLIS AND THE BRITISH FORCES 
UNDER HIS COMMAND, 

ON THE 19th DAY OF OCTOBER, 1781, 

Will be Appropriately Celebrated on the Field of Yorktown, Va., 

in October, 1881. 



An invitation was extended by His Excellency, F. W. M. Holliday, 
Governor of Virginia, to the Governors of the Colonial States, requesting 
them to meet in the City of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, and confer 
in reference to securing ways and means for holding such a celebration. 

In response to the invitation, the Governors of the Colonial States con- 
vened in Carpenters' Hall, at 10 o'clock in the morning of the 18th day of 
October, 1879. 

It was fitting that these distinguished men should meet there, for it was 
there that the first Continental Congress sat in 1774, and the place is hallowed 
by memories of the past, sacred to the heart of every American. It was there 
that the key-note of the struggle was given which ended in American liberty, 
and there should the descendants of the heroes of the Revolution meet to 
think of what should be done to properly celebrate the closing scene of that 
long struggle. The people who assembled there must have felt this, and felt, 
too, that, next to Independence Hall, there is no more sacred spot, for as they 
entered, there was that show of respect born of reverence for the place. 

The hall was handsomely decorated with flags and bunting. The shields 
bearing the coat-of-arms of each of the original thirteen States were orna- 
mented with small flags, while small flags covered the large chandeliers. The 
handsomely painted portrait of General Washington was neatly festooned. 

Shortly after 10 o'clock the Governors were ushered into the hall by Gov- 
ernor Hoyt, and were received by the following committee of reception, rep- 
resenting the " Carpenters' Association," whose members had tendered the 
use of the Hall : — President, Walter Allison; Vice-President, George Watson; 
Secretary, William Eyre, Richard K. Betts, and T>. Henry Flickwir. 



After the Governors were seated Mr. Walter Allison introduced Richard 
K. Betts, who welcomed the delegates. 

" It gives me pleasure," said Mr. Betts, " to welcome you, gentlemen, here 
in our time honored hall, and I would feel specially disposed to welcome the 
representatives of the sovereignty of Virginia, because she first called for the 
Congress that first assembled here; and that of Massachusetts, because she it 
was that secured the appointment in Philadelphia as the place for the meet- 
ing of that Congress. But I heartily welcome you all for the prompt res- 
ponse of the original States, now represented by you, to the call for a Con- 
gress to carry out an object so dear to the hearts of the patriots of that day. 

" It is fitting that you should meet here, — here where the delegates from 
the States first met. From this hall emanated all the thunders of the Revol- 
ution. This hall has been the scene of the most anxious deliberations that 
this country has ever witnessed. It was here when the clouds were darkest 
and the dangers thickening on every hand, that a mighty appeal was sent 
unto Almighty God in behalf of the infant nation. 

" Within these walls, when the patriots had every reason to believe an 
armed soldiery were menacing their humble households, they resolved upon 
resistance. Within these walls deliberated for months the new Congress 
which vitually laid the foundation of the Republic. The first sessions of the 
Supreme Court of the United States were here held. This is the birth place 
of the nation. I would take no honors from old Independence Hall, to which 
you will soon adjourn. It is endeared in every heart, and I give it all the 
distinction that can be asked for it; for was it not there that the infant 
Republic cancelled all its indentures to the mother country and took its right- 
ful place among the nations of the earth ? You have seen, within a brief 
time, how the world has done homage to your ex-President. Nations that 
would never descend to the potentates of sister nations have done obeisance 
to ours. 

" We have hanging on our walls yonder the banner that was carried in the 
celebration of the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, and is 
older than the Government under that Constitution. We cherish it here as a 
memento of the early time. It was within these walls that the first united 
action of the colonies took place, and on the table here they subscribed to the 
resolution pledging themselves to the sacred ties of virtue, honor, and love of 
country. So that you see the first compact leading to our successful establish- 
ment as a nation was here entered into. 

"I recall to mind in relation to the object of your meeting, th.e sensitive- 
ness of Washington in regard to any insult offered to his officers. Given to his 
generals, it was given to him. You will remember that General Lincoln 
surrendered to the British forces at Charlestown eighteen months before the 
event the anniversary of which you are now about to celebrate. The British 
commander would not receive his sword, but deputed an inferior officer to 
receive it. Washington mindful of the insult to his general, when Cornwallis 
surrendered to him at Yorktown, deputed that general to receive the British 



commander's sword. These are things that arise to my mind to show the 
sensitiveness of the great head of the nation at that day. 

" Recall the history of the nation, and see how that great commander, in 
all trials and vicissitudes, combatting misfortunes, poverty, and a foe that 
vastly outnumbered, placed at all times his reliance upon the Divine Arm in 
all his actions. And God was on his side. 

" I do not wish to detain you longer than to reiterate my welcome, our 
welcome to you in this hall, as the fitting place where you should arrange for 
the Centennial celebration of the victory at Yorktown." 

When Mr. Betts had finished speaking, Mr. Allison said: — "Gentlemen, 
we will now vacate that you may proceed with the business that comes upon 
you." Governor Andrews, of Connecticut, arose and said: — 

" I bow with reverence to the sacred memories which this room recalls, and 
the spirits of those worthies that seem to me to be lingering in this the place 
of their former action and glory. I come from the State of Connecticut. 

"In 1639 three little towns of that State got together by representatives 
and formed the first written Constitution, as a basis of a republican form of 
government, know in the history of civilized nations. That was a little effort. 
A broader and grander, and indeed a much more triumphant one, was inaugur- 
ated here at a later period. All of us feel that every annual, every centennial 
anniversary of any historic event with which our Government is connected, 
ought properly, and indeed may rightly be celebrated or originated in this 
room. I accept your hospitalities, and the welcome that has been spoken, on 
behalf of myself and of the other representatives of State government who 
are here present, and I thank you for them. 

" I believe that such steps may be taken here as will certainly carry for- 
ward to a successful and triumphant conclusion the grand centennial of our 
Revolutionary period which we hope will be publicly remembered henceforth 
every year." (Applause.) 

Governor Hoyt then nominated Governor Holliday, of Virginia, for 
President, and he was unanimously elected. Colonel Lincoln represented 
Governor Talbot, of Massachusetts, and was elected Secretary. The meeting 
then adjourned to Independence Hall, where they arrived in a few minutes. 
His Honor the Mayor was introduced by Governor Hoyt to each of the 
Governors. 

The Mayor then said: — "Gentlemen, it is my very great pleasure to re- 
ceive you in Independence Hall as the representatives of the thirteen original 
States that formed the contract on which was based the groundwork of this 
country. It is the first chance we have had to meet since the close of the 
Rebellion that we could come together as we ought to do, to know no North, 
no South, no West, nor no East, so that we can pledge our vows afresh, that 
we can resolve to stand firmly by the old flag, and resolve that it shall never 
be trailed in the dust. Standing as we now are, a united people, we can defy the 
nations of the earth. /This is a country which is constantly growing in grand- 
eur and importance. We are extendiug our influence, our commerce, and our 



people are coming to be looked upon as the most expert in mechanism, the 
foremost in art, and the most persevering in our industries.^ I extend to you a 
welcome to the city, and hope that your stay here may be pleasant. I extend 
to you also the hospitalities of the city." 

After the close of the Mayor's speech of welcome Governor Carroll, of 
Maryland, said: — " Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen: — On the part of the Governors 
of the thirteen States and their representatives, I beg to tender you our 
/ thanks for the very kind reception that you have extended to us. In coming 
/ here to take the preliminary steps for the celebration of the Centennial we 
feel that in coming here we are at home. We feel, sir, that we meet upon com- 
mon ground. However high party spirit may rise, however the passions of 
men may sway them, we feel that every citizen, be he Republican or Democrat, 
from the Eastern, Western, or Middle section, can come here and meet as one 
common mind; to review the scenes of the past and pledge our faith for the 
future. If it were otherwise, vain indeed would have been the Centennial, 
our civilization and common education. Let me say that to Philadelphia is 
due the first step towards extending to all the people of this country the hand 
of friendship and expressing the hope that all would be forgotten, and all 
would be forgiven. The Centennial was not intended to be merely an ex- 
hibition of the arts and sciences of the world and country, but an occasion 
when the people were come from every portion of our beloved land that they 
might see how strong we are united and how weak we are separated. I thank 
you in the name of our people for the kind reception you have given us." 

His Excellency Governor Hoyt arose and extended to the visitors a wel- 
come not only to the city but to the State. He desired to emphasize the 
warm reception extended by Mayor Stokley, and as the Chief Executive 
of the State, welcome them within its borders. He was pleased that they 
should find it suited their purpose to come here and perform the labor they 
had in hand. He then proceeded to speak of the industries of the State, its 
mining and mineral wealth, its population, and the advance in education. He 
then went over the history of the country, speaking of the great men and 
deeds put forth by the States whose representatives were before him; follow- 
ing this he explained to those present how the present meeting had been 
brought about, and said it was fitting they should gather here to devise 
some scheme to fittingly commemorate the drama which closed in 1881. " I 
trust," he said, " that our friends will feel welcome under the solicitude of 
the Chief Magistrate of the city, and measurably of myself, I trust that the 
time spent here may serve the purpose of your meeting, and that in the ent- 
ail the States may contribute to a successful celebration of the surrender of 
Lord Cornwallis." 

Governor Holliday, of Virginia, arose and said : — 

" Your Excellency: — I thank you in my own behalf, and in behalf of the 
people of my State, for this reception. It is an earnest that the bond which 
bound our sires to one another an hundred years ago is not severed; but that, 
meeting amid the scenes of their labors, we can enter into and appreciate the 



profound sentiments which inspired tbem, and the heroic ends at which they 
aimed. 

" Pennsylvania and Virginia ought not to feel towards each other as aliens. 
Their names are indissolubly connected in history. There are monuments 
standing in this your chief city which ought never to be allowed to decay. 
They indicate the birthplace of a Republic which far surpasses every other of 
which we have any record in the rapidity of its growth and the splendor of 
its promise. The associations clustering around Carpenter's and Independence 
Halls place them side by side with the Parthenon and Westminster. Humble, 
it is true, in their structure by comparison, yet marking the germ of influences 
among the most powerful, and in many respects most marvellous, that have 
worked in all the tides of time. 

" Virginia helped to make these places historic. I know you will pardon 
the pride that prompts this allusion. The genius of Washington, and Henry, 
and Jefferson, and Richard Henry Lee, and many other Virginians whom your 
own memory will recall, moved here and left its aroma, which survives to this 
our day, filling these now sacred spots with an immortality of fame. Take it 
away, and what would become of the deep devotion which now inspires the 
hearts of the people, and draws them, generation after generation, with as in- 
tense longing as that which carries the Moslem to the tomb of the Prophet, 
or the children of Israel to the city of the Gi'eat King ? 

" It is true a dark and fearful epoch has intervened between their day and 
that in which we live. They met here with your fathers in amity to consult 
of common interests, and to prepare for a common struggle. Together, 
shoulder to shoulder, they passed through the Revolution ; together they 
planned and framed the Constitution of the United States. In the progress 
of events controvei'sies arose affecting the import of that instrument; under it 
your section contending for the rights of the Union ; mine for the rights of 
the States. Both vindicating their sincerity by an appeal to arms. 

" I would not for one moment dwell upon the horrors of that long and 
bloody war. Peace now ought to reign. If I am to judge anything from 
your kind words, and from the faces round me responding in sympathy to the 
feelings as they come welling from the profound of my own heart, peace does 
reign. Let bitter memories die; the Republic survives. The splendid struc- 
tures built in commemoration of the Republic's hundredth birthday, and their 
contents symbols of vitality, assure us that it does live yet in the vigor of its 
early youth. Let crimination and recrimination cease — they can do no good. 
The battle has been fought; the victory won. Let us cherish the name and 
faith of those who fell on either side. God, in the wise dispensations of His 
providence, will not permit such suffering to be in vain. Out of it virtue will 
flow, which will generate a broader and more burning patriotism, and waft 
still higher the ensign of the Republic. The people of Virginia, have dis- 
missed all malice, and are learning a lesson from Nature herself; plenteous 
harvests are waving over battle-fields where lately every blade of grass was 
tipped with human blood. The feelings which engendered and stimulated 
the war have been superseded by the gentler and sweeter charms of peace. 



"And, now, what forbids that we should, all bitterness banished, hand in 
hand together visit the scenes made famous by our sires in the country's 
story ? These centennial times are bringing round from year to year — almost 
from month to month — the memory of some place marked by incidents of 
courage and devotion; for there is not a State of the old thirteen, from New 
Hampshire to Georgia, within whose borders they are not to be found, and 
whose people do not cherish them with admiration and pride. 

" Properly appreciated, these memorable spots will bind our States together 
as with a magic chain. And as the Republic moves on with giant steps, the 
wonder of history, let us, under the standard of the Union, whilst gathering 
up the recollections of our forefathers, not forget the noble men on either side 
who in these latter times have added so much to the renown of American 
virtue and valor. For, rest assured, the great deeds they performed were not 
idle and without avail; they will have their part in the working-out of the 
Republic's life. So has it ever been in a nation's real and sturdy growth. 

" Impelled by these sentiments, we are here to-day by the kind invitation 
of yourself and the authorities, to make arrangements for the national celebra- 
tion of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. We again thank you 
for the cordiality of this reception. As we have an interest in these scenes, 
so have you a like interest in the scene of that surrender upon the soil of the 
old Commonwealth, and in the name of my State I invite you with equal 
cordiality to be with us then and there. If it was right for us here on the 
ground where we stand, and in view of the scene of the first great act of the 
Revolution, to celebrate its centennial return, it is equally right that we 
should together celebrate at Yorktown the one hundredth anniversary of the 
last act of the Grand Drama." 

Govei-nor Simpson was the next speaker. He said it gave him great 
plessure to respond to the cordial welcome which had been given them. 
" Kindness," he said, " strikes a responsive chord in the human heart, and here 
we have had nothing but kindness. We are here to make arrangements to 
celebrate the event which took place at Yorktown in 1781; that even^ 
with the Declaration of Independence, are the greatest events of this country, 
and immortalized Washington, who Providence made childless that the 
nation might call him Father." He then briefly reviewed the events that had 
transpired during the last century, and which had done so much to make the 
nation a great one. He said that the celebration about to take place would 
do much to seal the bloody chasm that had been opened by the conflict of 
arms which a few years ago took place. 

Governor Hoyt moved that a committee of three be appointed, to include 
the chairman, to draw up suitable resolutions. 

This was agreed to, and when finished the committee presented the follow- 
ing report: — 

JZesolved, That we, the Governors and representatives of the original 
thirteen colonies, convened at Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, this 18th 
day of October, 1879, knowing that the purposes for which we assembled 



9 

meet the hearty approbation of our constituents, do hereby commend to the 
people of the United States such a celebration of the centennial anniversary 
of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown as shall befit the historical signifi- 
cance of that event and the present greatness of the nation. 

Resolved, That a committee of one from each State, to be nominated by 
the Governors thereof, of which committee Governor Holliday shall be chair- 
man, be appointed to make proper arrangements for such celebration. 

In response to the foregoing resolution, the Governors of the States and 
territories appointed the following-named gentlemen to represent their res- 
pective States and Territories in the Celebration. 

HON. MOSES WHITE, Tennessee. 

MAJOR S. P. HAMILTON, So. Carolina. 

HON MILO P. JEWETT, LL.D., . . . Wisconsin. 

HON. IRVING W. STANTON Colorado. 

CAPT. JNO. MILLEDCE, Georgia. 

HON. B. F. HART Iowa. 

HON. J AS. W. FARLEY, U. S. S., . . . California. 

HON. W. D. WASHBURNE, M. C, Minnesota. 

HON. H. G. BLASDEL, Nevada, 

COL. THOS. SNELL, Illinois. 

HON. SAML. B. CHURCHILL, .... . Kentucky. 

G-EN. B. D. FRY, Alabama. 

HON. R. B. PEEBLES, . . No. Carolina. 

HON. PHILO PARSONS, Michigan. 

GEN. LEWIS PERRINE, New Jersey. 

HON. JAS. W. PATTERSON, . New Hampshire. 

HON. JNO. A. KING, New York. 

COL. E. P. MATTOCKS, Maine. 

COL. M. GLENNAN, Virginia. 

HON. J. L. D. MORRISON, Missouri. 

GEN. J. F. HARTRANFT, Pennsylvania. 

HON. W. H. ENGLISH, Indiana. 

HON. E. F. WARE, Kansas. 

HON. R. A. GAMBLE, Florida. 

GEN. W. H. BULKELEY Connecticut. 

HON. B. F. BIGGS, Delaware. 

MAJOR J. L. BARSTOW, ..... Vermont. 

HON. L. J. GROVER, U. S. S Oregon. 

GEN. JAS. R. CHALMERS, .... Mississippi. 

COL. SOL. LINCOLN, Jr., Massachusetts. 

GEN. n. ROGERS, Rhode Island. 

HON. JAS. I). WALKER, U. S. S., . . . Arkansas. 

HON. GEO. W. THOMPSON, .... West Virginia. 

JUDGE M. A. DOUGHERTY, .... Ohio. 

COL. H. S. TAYLOR Maryland. 



10 

On motion, an invitation was accepted to attend a preliminary celebration, 
to be held at Yorktown, Ya., ou the following Thursday, the 2:3d inst. The 
meeting then adjourned, and the foil owing day, on invitation of the Rev. D. 
Fotfgo, the Governors attended Divine Service in Christ's Episcopal Church, 
occupying the pews that had been occupied by Robert Morris and George 
Washington. 

At the preliminary celebration, resolutions were passed calling upon Con- 
gress to make an appropriation to carry out the Act passed by the Colonial 
Congress, a few days after the surrender, authorizing the erection of a monu- 
ment at Yorktown. 

Congress, at its last Session, appropriated $100,000 for the monument, and 
$20,000 for the celebration, and appointed the following committee, composed 
of a Senator and a Member of the House of Representatives, from each of 
the Colonial States : — Senators : Jno. W. Johnston, Chairman, of Virginia; 
Rollins, of New Hampshire ; Dawes, of Massachusetts; Anthony, of Rhode 
Island; Eaton, of Connecticut; Kernan, of New York ; Wallace, of Pennsyl- 
vania; Randolph, of New Jersey; Bayard, cf Delaware; Whyte, of Mary- 
land; Ransom, of N. Carolina; Butler, of S. Carolina; and Hill, of Georgia, 
lions.: Jno. Goode, Chairman, of Virginia; Hawley, of Connecticut; Aldrich, 
of Rhode Island; Loring, of Massachusetts; Muller, of New York; Dick, of 
Pennsylvania; Martin, of Delaware; Talbot, of Maryland; Davis, of N. Caro- 
lina ; Richardson, of S. Carolina ; Nichols, of Georgia ; Bingham, of New 
Jersey, and Hall, of New Hampshire. 

To co-operate with and assist the Congressional Committee and State Com- 
missioners, in securing necessary transportation for the People from all parts 
of the country to Yorktown, during the celebration, at reasonable rates, and 
means for their accommodation whilst there, together with suitable quarters 
for the military and navy during their participation, and the preservation of 
order, and all that is necessary for such an occasion, an association has been 
formed and the following Charter was granted by the State of Virginia : 

To the Hon. B. R. Wellford, Judge of the Circuit Court of the City of Rich- 
mond. Va. : 

The undersigned, desiring to form a Joint Stock Company, for the conduct 
of the enterprise or business hereinafter set forth, do make, sign and acknow- 
ledge this certificate in writing. 

1st. The name of the company shall be Yorktown Centennial Associa- 
tion. 

2. The purpose of the Company shall be to promote and secure the proper 
celebration, in October, 1881, of the One Hundreth Anniversary of the Sur- 
render at Yorktown, Virginia, of the British forces under Lord Cornwallis, 
and to that end to purchase or lease and hold personal and real estate, the 
latter not to exceed one thousand acres in Yorktown and vicinity, York county, 
State of Virginia, and to sell or dispose of the same, and to do all things ne- 
cessary and proper for accomplishing the aforesaid purpose. 



A .<? r\ S'_ / / 







^^F<f^~^^i^^^-^L_c^^zz^ i 



